Whitlam Leisure Centre
Stories of Inclusion / Whitlam Leisure Centre
I was so excited to get Grace’s notification through Cérge. I was curious to know how we best may be able to help her and what she may need. Grace had outlined a few of her mental health conditions and gave us the directions to not ask personal questions or overwhelm her with a bunch of questions about her Assistance Dog Buddha. That was pretty easy and a genuine request, so we were off to make that happen.
Grace has also told us that as she has an Assistance Dog, she would need to be able to tie him up and swim in the pool close by him. Because the notification came through before she arrived, I was able to have a think about the best places and give her the most informed choice.
We have a lot of people with visual disabilities at the centre, some with Support Workers and some without. All we want is for everyone, no matter who, to feel comfortable at our centre. It would be great to see our regulars also take to using Cérge. :)
A dog is obviously challenging for us if the person just arrived at reception, as we wouldn’t have time to prepare but with just that extra bit of notice, we were able to make sure she would be ok and so would Buddha and that no one else was in that area.
We are working very hard to support our customers with extra needs and it important they feel a sense of belonging at Whitlam Leisure
All customers are welcome to use the Cérge app and it is free for your use. :)
Looking forward to meeting new people at our centre. :)
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I once loved swimming and going to the pool but it’s been about 7 years since I’ve been back to a pool after my conditions have deteriorated.
I felt extremely anxious about what to expect from the staff, the possibility of having to answer multiple personal questions, and the high chance of shutting down (dissociation) due to sensory overload or PTSD triggered. The fact I hadn't been to a public pool with my Assistance Dog (Buddha) in a very long time because of past experiences only added to my high anxiety before arriving.
I logged into the app and notified Whitlam Leisure Centre that I was on my way, I typed my “Must know “ info that I can get overstimulated and that I had a Buddha. I explained I like to communicate calmly and not be drilled with questions about me or Buddha.
On arrival we were greeted friendly by staff and then given a tour around the centre by Ernest, who answered our questions and showed all the accommodations available to us, such as quiet spaces away from others.
For the first time, EVER, there were no questions asked about my disability or my Assistance Dog! Absolutely blew me away! As I said with Cérge, I had let staff know before arriving that I have multiple mental health conditions and would have my Assistance Dog and carer with me, that I struggle interacting with strangers and that I hate being asked personal questions. Knowing they knew this, my fears about what might happen lessened to a manageable level.
The impact Cerge has made for me after today is indescribable!
We walked out of the centre and were deeply overjoyed that I was able to stay at a public pool without issues and for longer than expected! I felt like, for the first time, I could happily enjoy a swim without being disturbed or people trying to interact with my Assistance Dog while I was in the water.
I am relieved, happy and empowered